EGOR – The People of Evbo Okhiaro Community in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, have made passionate appeal to the Benin Monarch, HRM, Oba Ewuare II, to help intervene by way of summoning them and the people of Evbuotubu Community to the palace in order to amicably resolve the autonomous dispute between the two communities.
The people of Okhiaro in their large numbers, comprising of the Odionwere, Elders, Market women and youths maintained that the village Okhiaro known for peaceful and development have been an independent village from Evbuotubu over the years.
Speaking to newsmen on behalf of the people during enlarge meeting at the Village Oguedion, the Odionwere, Pa. Osarenren Enogieru, said that they were taken aback when the people of the neighbouring community decided to lay claim to Okhiaro even when they awaits the invitation from the Oba so as to state their side of the dispute.
Pa. Enogieru, informed that as law abiden citizens of the country and loyal subjects of the revered Benin throne, their appeal becomes imperatives so as to forestall breakdown of law, peace and peaceful communal existence between the two communities, even when the matter is before the court.
He recounted that over seven Odionwere have ruled over Okhiaro and wondered why some alleged mischief makers are hell-bent in causing avoidable crisis by laying claim to Okhiaro village as part of their community.
‘We want to sincerely commended the Oba of Benin for bringing peace and development to the entire Edo State as his reign has continued to bring unprecedented developmental strides to Edo State and beyond.
” It is a known fact that Okhiaro Village is not under Evbuotubu as I grew up and attended Useh Primary School from Okhiaro village. Over seven Odionwere have ruled over Okhiaro before me .
“During the now outlawed CDA era, most communities within the locality decided to cooperate as one but independent Communities with their various Odionwere. But after the ban of CDA, we all including Ugbihoko, Iguedayi, Okhokhugbo, Okhiaro and others decided to go back to our villages and oversees our affairs alone.
“So, we want to appeal to our great Oba to come to our rescue and invite both parties to the palace in a view to resolving the dispute”, he appealed.
In their separate remarks, Pa. Aghasedo Iyonmana (Ozukpogieva), Mr. Stanley Oviahon (Okaghele) Mr. Godfrey Enogieru (PRO), and Mrs. Mercy Omorogbe (Okhiaro Market Woman Leader) aligned themselves with the position of the Odionwere, maintaining that Okhiaro like other neighbouring independent villages were together during the CDA era.
They people who disclosed that the village over the years has functional market and other features of a true autonomous village, however, appealed for the intervention of the Oba in the dispute.
The Odionwere and the Elders later led newsmen to the various positions where their Oguedion were cited before the present location, as well as houses of some of their past Odionwere.
